Senior Director, Payroll & Benefits Administration

San Francisco Unified School District; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

dental and vision plans

defined benefit pension plan

disability

life insurance

flexible spending account options

vacation time

Job summary

San Francisco Unified School District seeks a seasoned leader to direct Payroll Operations and Benefits Administration. This permanent exempt role manages post-pay, taxes, and W-2 processes, guiding a team to ensure accurate, timely pay across diverse schedules.

The strongest candidates bring a track record in large or public sector payroll systems, strong analytics, and cross-functional collaboration with HR, Finance, and legal teams. This is a strategic, district-wide position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience leading payroll and benefits administration in a large or complex organization.
• Strong understanding of payroll taxes, W-2s, and retirement reporting.
• Public sector or district experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead Payroll Operations, Post-Pay Functions, payroll customer service, and Benefits Administration.
• Ensure timely, accurate processing across multiple pay schedules for thousands of employees.
• Oversee internal controls, audits, and cross-functional collaboration with HR and Finance.
• Develop procedures, calendars, and service standards to institutionalize knowledge.
• Communicate effectively with leadership, vendors, and external agencies on payroll matters.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

San Francisco Unified School District seeks a seasoned leader to direct Payroll Operations and Benefits Administration. This permanent exempt role manages post-pay, taxes, and W-2 processes, guiding a team to ensure accurate, timely pay across diverse schedules.

The strongest candidates bring a track record in large or public sector payroll systems, strong analytics, and cross-functional collaboration with HR, Finance, and legal teams. This is a strategic, district-wide position.